Curleyque... Can I ask WHY you brought politics into this story?????? To set the record straight it's both parties and the Dems had control for 2 years of both houses, so knock it off.

This marine is outstanding to give for his country and EVERYONE appreciates it and thank the Lord for an outstanding community that is willing to support our young men and women in combat!! God Bless everyone

The Lifeline only amounts to a savings of anywhere between $4 to $8 a month. My daughter is in the process of paying her loans back even without a full time job or looking for a handout. it is tough but she is doing it anyway she can. Why should there be forgiveness??

If committee chairwoman, Annette Quijano (D-Union) wants to investigate the use of helicopter maybe we should go back to the days of Governor McGreevey and Corozine also. Seems no problem to the Democrats when they had to drop Mrs. McGreevey on the beach when the Governor broke his leg. If you are going to call the kettle black then the same rules NEED TO APPLY to everyone who has been Governor, whether they are Republican or Democrat. So in instead of wasting taxpayer money and time get back to getting the State of New Jersey back on track economically, job creation and lower taxes instead of deflecting the problem with helicopter rides.

My condolences to the family of this young man, especially his wife and two young children.
My question is where were the Consultants that were hired by the County to oversee this project? Did anyone show up from Harbor Consultants? County personnel were on the site as were OSHA, Freeholder Chairwoman Scanlon and local authorities? Please explain again, why the entire Engineering Department was laid off, oh that is right, the consultants will oversee all the county projects and save the county money. Good move to Director of the Department.

Give up Muscifest and save a million. Stop hiring everyone's brother, sister, aunt, uncle, etc. County Manager's mother-in-law at Runnells, Sen. Scutari's family works there, uncle, father, sister, etc. Freeholder Sullivan has daughter, son, niece, nephew, etc. They hired Gabe Gluck formerly of Star Ledger at $91,000 to do what?? Democratic Chairwoman, son and daugther-in-law. Get rid of nepotism and there probably would be no increase in the budget.....

The more protests the more of a PR nightmare. The more I see and read about these unions with the "give me, I am entitled to it" mentality just makes the public more disgusted with them. Instead of discussing how to better educate children it is all about "what is in it for me".... so sad....

Jason O'Donnell you should first learn about the solvency of the state's pension system before firing off at the Governor. As a public employee I welcome what Governor Christie is doing to protect the pension system of public employees, including, teachers, fire and police. At the rate this state is going the funding of the pension system will run out by 2019. Did you know that New Jersey ranks #4 in the top 10 States where Pensions will run out of funds. Working together is the only way to save the pension system instead of trying to be the new tough guy on the block. Do more research on the state of affairs in the State of New Jersey before sounding like an idiot.

Assemblyman Cryan is just looking out for himself. One day he will be the next Sheriff in Union County so might as well abolish the cap now or water down so he can help himself to a good raise. What happen to representing the constituents that voted you in. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH OF WASTING TAX PAYERS $$$$

As I read most of these posts, I can tell which are posted by ordinary taxpayers and which are written by personnel of the various unions and government jobs. Why, because I am a Government Employee and agree wholeheartedly with what Governor Christie is trying to do to our pension system and the economics of New Jersey. By the time some of the pensioners are ready to retire there will not be a pension system, it will be depleted. Both parties are at fault for this, no one has EVERY reined in the spending in this state all they ever did was give more jobs to more family, friends, friends of friends instead of streamlining these various agencies, whether is be state, county or municipalities. I am sure everyone is tightening their belts at home with their own budgets and the government must do so also. No more entitlements to these unions, everyone must pitch in and help or you will have nothing to look forward to upon retirement.

And of course the sponsors are picking up the tab for the spraying like they do for the entire Musicfest...the county should look at their priorities then spending thousands upon thousands for a rock concert in such economic times....

Claire Heiminger needs a journalism class, if she thinks this is something new. Also the Star Ledger needs to find something newsworthy for their front headlines, glad I canceled my subscription. If they forgot OBAMA did the EXACT same thing...stack the audience in his favor.....

Opinion, there was a recent article regarding the firing of a tenured teacher in Trenton, ONE TEACHER, and it cost the city close to $500,000 to fire her/him. So now you know why no one will answer your question with regards to tenure

The 42% must consist of mostly teachers, firefighters, police and state workers...I wouldn't doubt it. Governor Christie is doing the job that the people of NJ elected him to do, so let him do it! No one ever in this state's history has stood up to the unions and it is about time!!

mccheezyvii - Governor Chrisite is a straight shooter and tells it like it is. AND IT IS ABOUT TIME that some stands up to the unions. There is no FREE RIDE in New Jersey, everyone needs to pull their weight to get this state back on it's feet. So if you think that demoralizing and insulting Christie will help NJ, go right ahead mccheezyvii, knock yourself out. Insecure he is not, Teachers, Firefighters, Police unions they are the classless and insecure sector, spoil little brats, give me, give me, they suffer from "the entitlement snydrome"

mccheezyvii - Governor Chrisite is a straight shooter and tells it like it is. AND IT IS ABOUT TIME that some stands up to the unions. There is no FREE RIDE in New Jersey, everyone needs to pull their weight to get this state back on it's feet. So if you think that demoralizing and insulting Christie will help NJ, go right ahead mccheezyvii, knock yourself out. Insecure he is not, Teachers, Firefighters, Police unions they are the classless and insecure sector, spoil little brats, give me, give me, I'm entitled mentality.

Mr. Braun, as a public employee I DO NOT MIND contributing towards my benefits, which I do. You are obviously clueless when it comes to the taxpayers of NJ. Where is the power behind teacher's union going to come from? Other union? Not the taxpayers of NJ. WE ARE TAPPED out. Get a grip on reality please. The next step is to address the Superintendent's salaries. Chancellor Joel Klein who administrates over 1.1 million students makes $250,000 per year. The Superintendents of NJ? Just as much for possibly administering 2% of of the 1.1 million students. Shame on the Board of Education members in the state of NJ.

The taxpayers of NJ have had ENOUGH. There is NO MORE free ride. Many in the private sector contribute towards their health benefits, had no increase, some companies actually asked employees for a reduction in pay to save jobs. Unfortunately people in the public sector just don't get it. I am in the public sector and I am more than willing to pay towards benefits, which I already do anyway. No raise last year and probably none this year, but that is ok, as long as Governor Christie can get NJ back on it's feet.

As a public worker, I am more than HAPPY to contribute towards my medical insurance, but that is not the case for teachers, police & firemen. My pockets are not deep enough for their entitlement. SHAME ON TEM